your gear and getting into the woods

[moparmaddnes]

I don't know if this is the right place. My question is how do you guys carry all of your things in to hunt? I have to hunt on public land so I have to carry my climber, back pack, and weapon of choice. I can't carry all of this at the same time. How do you guys do it? Matt

[JackSparrow]

I don't know if this is the right place. My question is how do you guys carry all of your things in to hunt? I have to hunt on public land so I have to carry my climber, back pack, and weapon of choice. I can't carry all of this at the same time. How do you guys do it? Matt

A decent climber will fit right on your back along with your backpack. It might take some creative ways of running the shoulder straps, but it should work. That leaves both hands free for your weapon

[Stump]

For that type of hunting, I ditch any type of back pack or duffle bag and go as light as possible. Since every lb makes a difference, I leave the usual kitchen sink worth of gear I take in the take and just grab the essentials. A good pair a 6 six pocket pants can really make a difference. My face mask, rangefinder, extra gloves, extra release, grunt call and hat go into the pockets of the outer coat that I wear. All of the extra clothes I bring get bungy strapped to the stand/sticks. *Use a good strap and triple check it. Yes I have walked to my location before and didn't have any clothes to put on. It's really not a great time trying to exactly remember where you've walked to back track and find your clothes. Folding saw in my pants pocket, knife on my belt, put the binos on with a bino harness system, clip the gps to that, put the stand on, grab the weapon and start walking.

Another thing I would suggest is ditch those cheap shoulder straps that come with the stand and get a comfortable set. That cheap strap digging into your shoulder on a mile walk isn't all that fun either.

[moparmaddnes]

Yes those straps are a pain in the butt! I will be ditching the climber and getting a hang-on and sticks to use, so I will still be in the same situation. I am just going to have to lighten things up a bit and get creative like Jack says. I want to be as mobile as possible, but hate leaving anything that might help me. Thanks for the imput Matt

[newhntr]

Bring less stuff. I ditched treestands altogether about 3 years ago...now I just bring a small folding stool. I also switched to shooting barebow last spring...no need for an extra release (or, any release!) and with no site, I dont need a rangefinder. I have a small backpack, in it is a drag rope, 2 knives (big & small) some extra clothes depending on weather, a bottle of water, a snack, some zip ties for tagging, 2 flashlights (incase one dies)...and sometimes some calls and rattles. Thats really about all I need, I found that, the more crap I bring in...the less actually gets used, and I have to haul it back out.

Im not saying you need to switch your style, but instead look at what you have, and what you REALLY need to haul in.

my $.02